Author(s)

Date Approved

Document Type

Degree Name

Department

College

College of Education

First Advisor

Walpole, MaryBeth

Subject(s)

Math anxiety;Elementary school teachers--Training of

Disciplines

Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold. First, I identified the attitudes held by pre-service elementary teachers, investigated whether the attitudes could be improved and anxieties reduced, and determined if there was evidence that long-lasting changes in attitudes were achieved. Second, I evaluated my own leadership to see what styles I practiced both inside of, and outside of the classroom. Data was collected through an attitudes questionnaire, student journal data, student interviews, student surveys, and my own journal. Students did show negative attitudes and high anxiety that seemed mitigated by classroom activities. My leadership style in the classroom was primarily a situational style with an ethic of care. Outside of the classroom my style shifted somewhat to also include some transactional and political leadership techniques.